Japanese Government Scholarships for International Undergraduate Students

The Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT) offers a valuable opportunity for international students to pursue undergraduate studies in Japan. The Japanese Government Scholarship Program for 2020 provides scholarships to outstanding students from countries with diplomatic relations with Japan. This blog post will provide an overview of the program, eligibility criteria, benefits, and application instructions.

Scholarship Details: The MEXT scholarship covers undergraduate studies at various universities in Japan. Students can choose their major from two fields: Social Sciences and Humanities, and Natural Sciences. The scholarship includes full tuition fees, a monthly allowance of 117,000 yen, and additional stipends for those studying in designated regions. Travel costs to and from Japan are also covered. The scholarship period lasts for five years, including one year of preparatory education in the Japanese language and other subjects.

Eligibility Criteria: To be eligible for the scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:

1. Nationality: Applicants must hold the nationality of a country with diplomatic relations with Japan. Dual nationals with Japanese citizenship residing outside of Japan are eligible if they choose their foreign nationality and relinquish Japanese citizenship before arriving in Japan.
2. Age: Applicants must have been born between April 2, 1995, and April 1, 2003.
3. Academic Background: Applicants should have completed 12 years of schooling in a country other than Japan or have graduated from a school equivalent to a Japanese upper secondary school. Those eligible for direct placement in a Japanese university are also considered.
4. Japanese Language: Applicants must be willing to learn Japanese and carry out their academic studies in Japan in Japanese.
5. Health: A health certificate signed by a physician is required, confirming that the applicant has no health conditions that would hinder their studies in Japan.
6. Arrival in Japan: Applicants should be able to arrive in Japan between April 1st and 7th, 2020, or within two weeks before and after the starting date of the university’s academic term for those enrolling in the fall semester through direct placement.
7. Visa Requirement: Successful applicants are expected to obtain a “Student” visa at the Japanese diplomatic mission in their country of nationality before entering Japan.

Application Instructions: Applicants should submit the necessary documents to the Japanese diplomatic mission in their country within the specified deadline. The application process may vary depending on the location of the Japanese embassy or consulate. Interested candidates should visit the official scholarship website for detailed information and contact the Japanese embassy for specific application procedures.

Conclusion:

The Japanese Government Scholarship Program for 2020 offers a fantastic opportunity for international students to pursue undergraduate studies in Japan. With its comprehensive coverage of tuition fees, living allowances, and travel costs, this scholarship can pave the way for a fulfilling academic journey in the Land of the Rising Sun. Interested applicants should carefully review the eligibility criteria and application instructions on the official website to begin their application process. Good luck to all aspiring scholars!